Summary
A 60-year-old electronics technician was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline H (Drug Involvement) and Guideline E (Personal Conduct). The applicant had a documented history of illegal drug use, including cocaine and marijuana, and had tested positive for illegal drugs. He also admitted to illegal possession of these substances and expressed an intent to continue their use, raising questions about his reliability and trustworthiness.
A significant factor in the denial was the applicant's deliberate falsification of his 2008 security clearance application, where he failed to disclose his marijuana use. This omission was considered a serious breach of personal conduct.
Ultimately, the applicant's admitted long history of drug use, the deliberate falsification of his application, and his non-credible statements regarding future drug use intentions led to the denial of his security clearance. He did not demonstrate a clear intent to discontinue drug use or provide evidence of rehabilitation.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant admitted to a long history of illegal drug use, including cocaine and marijuana.
- He deliberately falsified his security clearance application by omitting recent marijuana use.
- The applicant's statements regarding future drug use intentions were not credible, raising doubts about his reliability.
Conditions Referenced
- H.25.araisedAny Drug Abuse
- H.25.bnotedTesting Positive for Illegal Drug Use
- H.25.cnotedIllegal Drug Possession, Including Cultivation, Processing, Manufacture, Purchase, Sale, or Distribution; or Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- H.25.hraisedExpressed Intent to Continue Illegal Drug Use, or Failure to Clearly and Convincingly Commit to Discontinue Drug Use
- E.16.araisedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification of Relevant Facts
- H.26.arejectedThe Behavior Happened so Long Ago, Was so Infrequent, or Happened Under Such Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to RecurThe applicant's last drug use was recent and his long history of use raises doubts about current reliability.
- H.26.brejectedA Demonstrated Intent Not to Abuse Any Drugs in the FutureThe applicant's claims of abstinence were insufficient given his decades of drug use.
- H.26.drejectedSatisfactory Completion of a Prescribed Drug Treatment ProgramThe applicant returned to drug use after treatment and the record lacks a favorable prognosis.
- E.17.arejectedPrompt, Good-faith Efforts to Correct the OmissionThe applicant did not make efforts to correct the falsification before being confronted.
Key Rule Quoted
“A security clearance decision is intended only to resolve the questions of whether it is clearly consistent with the national interest for an Applicant to either receive or continue to have access to classified information.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedAug 17, 2009
- Answer filedSep 10, 2008Applicant admitted all allegations.
- Hearing held—Applicant requested a decision without a hearing.
- Decision dateDec 10, 2009
Cite For
- Denial Based on Long History of Drug Use Under Guideline H
- Falsification of Security Clearance Application Under Guideline E
- Credibility Issues Regarding Future Drug Use Intentions